The death toll surpassed 1,900 and was rising Monday after a powerful, pre-dawn earthquake and series of strong aftershocks collapsed thousands of buildings along the Turkish-Syrian border.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.8 quake struck at 4:17 a.m. local time. At least 20 aftershocks followed, authorities said. Hours later, a 7.5 magnitude quake struck more than 60 miles away.
In Turkey, student Muhammet Fatih Yavus said three buildings fell near his home in Adana. He said he heard one survivor calling out from beneath the rubble “I don’t have the strength anymore.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said more than 1,000 people were killed and at least 5,300 injured in his country alone.
In Syria, the death toll in government-held areas surpassed 430, and 1,000 were injured, the Syrian Health Ministry reported. In rebel-held areas, more than 380 people were killed, according to Syrian Civil Defense – the White Helmets.
Hundreds were believed trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers dug through the wreckage. Thousands of survivors were left homeless in the cold rain and snow.
Developments:
►Erdogan called the quake the biggest disaster since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake that killed more than 30,000 people. The region sits on top of major fault lines and about 18,000 were killed in earthquakes that hit northwest Turkey in 1999.
►Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said at least 78 aftershocks followed the quake.
►Russia says it is readying rescue teams to fly to Turkey to help earthquake victims there and in neighboring Syria.
DEADLY QUAKE:More than 1,300 dead after powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes near Turkey-Syria border
Quake struck region already torn by civil war
The quake struck a region that has been battered on both sides of the border by more than a decade of civil war in Syria. On the Syrian side, the region is divided between government-held territory and the country’s last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by Russian-backed government forces. Turkey is home to millions of refugees from that conflict.
About 4 million people live in the opposition-held regions in Syria, many of them displaced from other parts of the country by the fighting. Many of the residential buildings were already unsafe because of bombardments.
TRAGEDY IN TURKEY:Photos capture devastating aftermath of powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake
Thousands pulled from toppled buildings
Thousands of buildings were reported collapsed from the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Hama to Turkey’s Diyarbakir, more than 200 miles to the northeast. Erdogan said he spoke with several mayors who reported almost 3,000 buildings had collapsed. About 2,500 people were pulled from the rubble, he said. Schools across much of the country will be closed for at least one week, and schools closer to the quake for two weeks, officials said.
Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu said all national sports organizations to be held in Turkey have been suspended until further notice.
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Biden offers aid as rescuers hunt for survivors
Over 9,000 personnel were carrying out search and rescue operations in Turkey and more support from other regions was on the way, Erdogan said.
“We have started to be contacted for international aid,” he said. “Besides offers of assistance by NATO and the EU, 45 countries have reached out to us.”
The Biden administration issued a statement expressing concern, adding that “we stand ready to provide any and all needed assistance.” President Joe Biden has directed USAID and other federal government agencies to “assess U.S. response options to help those most affected,” coordinating efforts with the Turkish government.
Trapped survivors call for help
In the Turkish city of Adana, one resident said three buildings near his home were toppled. “I don’t have the strength anymore,” one survivor could be heard calling out from beneath the rubble as rescue workers tried to reach him, said the resident, journalism student Muhammet Fatih Yavus.
Quake felt in Egypt, Lebanon
In Damascus, buildings shook and residents ran into the streets. The quake jolted residents in Lebanon from beds, shaking buildings for about 40 seconds. Many residents of Beirut left their homes, driving their cars away from buildings, terrorized by memories of the 2020 port explosion that wrecked a large portion of the city.
EU Council president pledges support
Condolences and offers of aide poured in from world leaders.
“Deeply saddened to hear this morning about the devastating earthquake hitting parts of Türkiye and Syria. My deepest condolences to the many families that lost lives and wishing a fast recovery of the injured,” European Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter. “The EU stands in full solidarity with you.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “My thoughts are with the people of Türkiye and Syria this morning, particularly with those first responders working so valiantly to save those trapped by the earthquake. The UK stands ready to help in whatever way we can.”
Turkey creates ‘air aid corridor’ to deliver rescuers to the region
National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said a large number of military transport planes began to dispatch search and rescue teams and vehicles to the region. Ambulance planes also take part in the “air aid corridor,” Akar said.
“We have maximized the readiness of our aircraft to provide the necessary transportation service,” he said.
Contributing: The Associated Press
